Why Do Your Drains Keep Clogging?
When your drain gets slow or clogged, you can generally remove the clog with a plunger or maybe a little liquid drain cleaner. But what should you do when the clog keeps coming back? If you just can't seem to keep your drains clear permanently, there may be something more sinister to blame. Here's a look at some of the most likely culprits.
Clogged sewer vents.
Your drain and sewer system has a vent, which usually goes to the roof. This vent allows air to escape from your sewer system, which keeps water and other waste flowing freely through the system. If the vent becomes clogged, this may slow down all of the drains in your home, leading to a perpetual state of clogs.
You can try venturing onto the roof yourself and locating your sewer vent. It might be blocked by some leaves or snow; clear them away, and your clog situation should dissipate. If you think debris may be lodged further down in the pipe, contact your plumber. They have special equipment to safely and effectively clear it out.
Debris constantly being washed down the drain.
The problem might be that you're constantly washing clogging materials down the drain without realizing it. Do you have long hair? Then showering without a basket in the drain might be introducing hair to your pipes, leading to clogs. Or maybe there's no mesh on the end of your washer's drain pipe, resulting in lint being rinsed down the drain.
Look over each drain, and make sure adequate measures are being taken to protect it. Both drain baskets and mesh pipe covers are items you can typically find at the dollar store or a home goods store.
There are mineral deposits in your pipes.
Another possibility is that your pipes are lined with mineral deposits. This is effectively narrowing the pipes, making it easier for them to become clogged by any little thing that gets rinsed down the drain. The most common cause of mineral deposit formation is hard water.
If you notice that your faucets are developing mineral deposits around their bases, you need to use a lot of soap to generate a lather, or your skin is always dry, you probably have hard water. It's a good idea to come have a plumber come look over your pipes to learn more about what could be leading to your clogging situation.
